The IVMF Ambassador program runs on people who show up. Not just for events or webinars, but for the veterans and military families looking for a connection, a mentor, or just some direction. This year’s Impact Award winners showed up for their communities and gave back in a big way, permanently strengthening their local ecosystems to better serve veterans and their families.
Each winner exemplifies the best of what the Ambassador program can accomplish. We’re proud to recognize their contributions.
Ecosystem Synergy Award
Winner: Ryan Hunt (Chicago)
The Ecosystem Synergy Award recognizes leaders who cultivate high-impact collaboration across stakeholders. Ryan Hunt has done exactly that, and more, across the Chicagoland area. Ryan partnered with VSource and Ambassadors across San Antonio, Chicago, and Utah to expand event streaming and amplify messaging and co-sponsored IVMF Ambassador-led webinars. Thanks to his efforts amplifying the events on social media and email, they reached thousands more viewers. Ryan also secured $25,000 in coaching tickets for VETOSOCIAL participants and was named 2025 Vetrepreneur of the Year for Illinois. Ryan’s approach of building together with his fellow ambassadors continues to position Chicago as a thriving hub for veteran entrepreneur engagement and support.
Trailblazer Strategy Award
Winner: Melanie McCoy (San Antonio)
The Trailblazer Strategy Award honors innovative leaders who think beyond traditional models to solve ecosystem challenges. Melanie collaborated with the City of San Antonio to pilot a military-connected Agentic AI workforce training program. The AI training pilot proved so impactful that the city adopted it permanently, making San Antonio an early adopter of AI-centered professional development for veterans.
Melanie also established a Veteran Resource Office at Geekdom, supporting Supply SA’s pivot toward military family and veteran entrepreneurship. She led a week-long SASW event focused on military-connected entrepreneurs, increasing ecosystem visibility and service access. Melanie’s ability to make things happen has created new opportunities for those in her community that make a real difference.
Mentorship Excellence Award
Winner: Michael Parks (Southeast Region)
The Mentorship Excellence Award celebrates leaders who create meaningful, measurable impact through guidance and connection. Michael Parks has become a cornerstone not only in Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, and Atlanta, but across the entire Ambassador cohort. Michael is widely known as a “super connector.” No matter the region, Ambassadors know they can call on him to tap into his expansive network. He consistently mobilizes cross-state collaborations and connects founders to high-value opportunities.
A standout initiative is his launch of VETSFEST in Atlanta, which brought together over 500 military-connected community members for networking, training, and resource sharing. The event significantly expanded access to entrepreneurial support pipelines throughout the Southeast. Michael’s leadership proves that mentorship, when done with intention and generosity, creates ripple effects far beyond a single region.
Capital Catalyst Award
Winner: Rod Loges (DC Metro)
The Capital Catalyst Award honors leaders who expand access to funding and financial opportunity for military-connected entrepreneurs. In the DC Metro region, Rod Loges has been a steady and influential force. His outreach throughout the Mid-Atlantic region has helped build stronger resource pipelines, create inclusive networking environments, and increase support for transitioning service members and veteran business owners. His ongoing monthly coffee chats are poised to deliver sustained value and deepen connections across the DMV ecosystem. Rod’s work reinforces a simple but powerful truth: access to capital starts with access to community.
Making A Collective Impact
Ryan, Melanie, Michael, and Rod didn’t just run events or fill calendars. They built infrastructure. The Veteran Resource Office in San Antonio, VETSFEST in Atlanta, the AI workforce training program now permanently embedded in city services, the capital and coaching pipelines opening doors across the DC Metro and Chicago. These aren’t temporary wins. They’re permanent upgrades to the accessibility of opportunities for veterans and military families in their communities, and they’ll be felt long after this year’s awards.
If you’re ready to make that kind of lasting impact in your community for those who have served, we want to hear from you. The IVMF Ambassador program is built on leaders who show up, dig in, and change what’s possible for the veterans and military families around them. Apply today.